Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has highlighted the pivotal role of teachers in shaping the nation’s future during the annual August Conference of Teachers. Addressing thousands of educators and stakeholders, the president emphasized the importance of raising the status of the teaching profession, ensuring equal access to quality education, and embracing digital transformation to prepare a new generation of morally upright and professionally skilled citizens.
The conference, focusing on the theme “The future of education: an honest citizen, a professional specialist,” brings together around 1,500 participants in person, with thousands more from the education sector taking part in expert panel discussions. According to the Ministry of Education, the event aims to assess the current state and future direction of Kazakhstan’s education system, and will culminate in the adoption of a resolution dedicated to enhancing the status of teachers.
President Tokayev praised teachers as essential contributors to nation-building and expressed gratitude for their dedication. He noted significant progress in supporting educators, pointing out that over the past four years, teachers’ salaries have doubled, with more than 500,000 educators receiving bonuses. Additionally, efforts have been made to reduce unnecessary administrative work for teachers.
Significant investments have been made in education since 2019, with the national budget for education tripling. During this period, 1,200 new schools have been established, and many more are underway under the “Schools of the Future” initiative. Out of 217 planned new schools, 128 have already been built. To promote equal opportunities, more than 4,000 rural schools have been modernized, ensuring that children across Kazakhstan have access to high-quality education regardless of their location.
